The 60-year-old’s historic run in the Miss Argentina pageant is coming to an end following a change in Miss Universe’s age policy

Miss Argentina in a beauty pageant : A 60-year-old woman’s dream of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant ended in a flurry of sequins and selfies at the annual beauty pageant in Argentina. Alejandra Marisa Rodríguez, a hospital legal adviser, was known for having a difficult age in a youth-centric world, but she missed out on the Miss Argentina crown. Despite this, she won the title of “Best Face”, which is one of several competition categories, including: for the best evening dress, the best swimsuit and the most elegant.

Rodriguez thanked supporters for her success at the Miss Buenos Aires pageant last month, which catapulted her to local fame and global media attention. The Miss Universe Organization recently lifted the long-standing age limit, allowing them to make their historic entry.

Rodriguez, a lawyer from La Plata, south of Buenos Aires, shared beauty tips and supported the belief that age is just a number. “New doors have opened for many people for whom it probably wasn’t easy,” Rodríguez said backstage, wearing a red cocktail dress. “It was an adventure and I had no other hope than to take on a new challenge. “

During the swimsuit portion of the competition, Rodríguez wore a simple one-piece suit with a scarf and shimmyed the crowd. However, the judges sided with 29-year-old actress and model Magaly Benejem from Cordoba, who won the “Best Swimsuit” title in a short blue bikini and high heels. Benejam was ultimately crowned Miss Argentina, beating out 27 other contestants.

“I’m very excited and grateful to be here because the competition wasn’t easy,” Benzema told The Associated Press. She will represent Argentina at the world competition in Mexico in November.

For the first time in its 73-year history, people over 18 could take part in this year’s Miss Universe pageant, bypassing the current age limit of 28. This change follows a series of reforms in response to feminist criticism, especially since the Miss American Protests in 1968.

The Miss Universe pageant, which once focused on unmarried women in their teens, now promotes ideals of empathy, self-confidence and authenticity. It removed a number of controversial eligibility requirements, opened the competition to married, pregnant, lesbian and transgender women, and removed mentions of “beauty” from its website.

While Rodriguez’s participation was praised, some questioned the standards set for older women. Her youthful appearance and award-winning face inspired discussions about unrealistic beauty expectations for women of all ages.

“This contributes to the feeling that all 60-year-old women should look young,” said Argentine feminist activist Lala Pasquinelli. “If they don’t do it, it will be perceived as a lack of effort. “